76 Public Utilities 6.2.2 SOURCES OF WATER FOR DRINKING PURPOSE Most of the MEs in Yangon got drinking water either from water cans or public earthen pots both at home and at their business location while in Mandalay, Naypyidaw, Mawlamyine and Bago most of the MEs used personal wells and tubewells for the same. Myat (Watch and spectacles seller, Mawlamyine) got drinking water from the public well without any cost. Naing (Journal seller, c) got water from the well but it had an unpleasant smell so he added bleaching powder in it which costs MMK 1000 ($1) per pound but he only bought worth MMK 50 ($0.05). The water cans contained purified drinking water and the suppliers gave door to door delivery service. For the first time, they had to deposit MMK 2000-4000 ($2-$4) and then MMK 300 ($0.3)-MMK 400 ($0.4) for refilling it each time in all five locations. The deposit money could be claimed after returning the water bottles as mentioned by Nyien (Ice cream seller, Mawlamyine). Moe (Bag and chain repairer, Mawlamyine) bought a water can for MMK 300 ($0.3) every week but in summers his consumption increased and he bought 3 cans per week. 6.2.3 BILLING AND PAYMENT: GOVERNMENT WATER PIPELINE Water can at Olivia’s salon in Yangon In Yangon, the MEs paid a fixed bill of MMK 1000 for three months. The YCDC official came to collect this amount and gave a receipt for the bill. In Mandalay, only two MEs had the government water connection and paid MMK 7000-8000 ($7-$8) for 3 months. None of the MEs in Nay Pyi Taw, Mawlamyine and Bago had government pipelines. Water bill